<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUDITED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PALEX, INC. AS OF DECEMBER 28, 1997 AND DECEMBER 27, 
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1997             DEC-27-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             DEC-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1997             DEC-27-1998
<CASH>                                           7,448                   4,157
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,209                  46,159
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (617)                 (1,616)
<INVENTORY>                                     20,383                  29,986
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                53,755                  85,218
<PP&E>                                          76,681                 123,677
<DEPRECIATION>                                (38,831)                (47,953)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 120,005                 292,438
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           18,050                  30,546
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           176                     203
<OTHER-SE>                                      67,261                  95,077
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   120,005                 292,438
<SALES>                                        222,993                 319,691
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               222,993                 319,691
<CGS>                                          188,084                 259,562
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  188,084                 260,797
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                19,613                  40,751
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   227                     394
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,722                   8,468
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,344                   9,091
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,704                   5,105
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,640                   3,986
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,640                   3,986
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .43                     .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .42                     .21
        

</TABLE>